June Superlatives: Northern & Southern Fun

Since it’s a holiday here in the US (America’s birthday, no less!) we’re spending the day with our family, but we thought we’d take a minute to look back on the month of June (once again we’re late with our little recap – sorry guys!). But in an attempt to TOTALLY REDEEM OURSELVES (name that movie), we’ve also linked to a bunch of Fourth of July related posts of yore for ya (here, here, and here) and we snuck a few never before seen things into this recap – like a new family portrait that the lovely and talented snapped for us while we were in Atlanta (how is no one crying?!). If you’re feeling especially sentimental, you can also browse all of our monthly superlatives dating back to January of 2011 right here (it’s almost a year and a half of projects crammed into just 17 posts). Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Biggest Pop (Outdoor): Introducing a new accent color to our patio – tomato red! – courtesy of these new Adirondack chairs that we saved up for (literally, cash-in-a-jar style).

Biggest Tearjerker: This plate, which we had custom made as an anniversary present to my parents. When my mom saw our family’s simple dinner grace emblazoned on this platter she (and maybe a few of us too) got a little something in our eyes.

The “Never Thought I’d Do That!” Award: Taking a power saw to the brick exterior of our house. This was the first step in deck construction, so while it felt a bit weird, it was exciting to finally dive in.

Most Sentimental: The little arrangement of frames that we put on the wall in our bathroom with pictures taken on each of our four wedding anniversaries. The 5th one comes up on Saturday, so here’s hoping we get a great decent picture for that empty frame. Update: Just as Sherry predicted, those flowers died well before they could reach our fifth anniversary- oh well, at least they were free from the backyard.

Heaviest: The auger that we rented to dig holes for our deck posts. It was pretty hefty, but definitely not as bad as my face in these pictures would indicate.

Shiftiest: The furniture in our bedroom, which got shifted around when we finally broke up our crazy symmetrical arrangement for a new layout that gave the room more flow. Only took us a year and a half to figure that out. Haha.

Shakiest: The cameraperson at the helm of our most recent outdoor tour video (this means you Sherry). I’d say she needs to quit it on the caffeine, but there’s not even caffeine in her diet to blame it on!

Most Well-Rounded: The new rug in our office (but definitely not the two workaholics making cameos in the background).

Most Helpful: Clara – or at least that’s what we tell her, especially when it comes to keeping her occupied at the home improvement store by asking for her assistance when we’re pushing the cart (she’s happy to dive in – even for large loads like the wood for our new bedroom headboard).

Most Likely To Make Situations Awkward: Us – well, Sherry in particular – at the Haven Conference where we gave the keynote address, but also grinded on other bloggers, let our kids (that included Burger) run amok, and generally had a blast while doing it.

Most Disappointing (To Some): That our post entitled “The Vow” wasn’t actually about Channing Tatum, but instead featured some 4th of July tablesettings that Sherry whipped up just for fun.

Friendliest: These “Twenty Northern Friends” that were part of my Father’s Day gift. Sidenote: In high school, I actually was voted “Friendliest” a couple of times (although that was just in band superlatives, so maybe I shouldn’t boast that much).

Smiliest: The three of us, who miraculously caught all smiling in this sweet little family portrait that she captured during our visit. Thanks Katie B! Total miracle worker. And yes, Sherry is totally pinning Clara’s hands down (she’s a flailer just like her mom).

So that’s what our June looked like (along with some pretty hefty book proofing stuff that goes off to be printed in less than a month!). It’s always fun to take a break from adding things to the to-do list for a second, just to look back and appreciate the things that are done-zo. We totally think it helps keep our momentum up – especially when it comes to tackling things like our big deck project, some more master bathroom and bedroom updates, other outdoor projects, and everything else at the top of our list. What are you most proud of accomplishing this past month? And what are you looking forward to checking off in July? Is it just us, or did it feel like 2012 just started and suddenly we’re halfway done with it? Oh where has the time gone…

well, to answer you first question … in Dumb and Dumber the line is “You know, Lloyd, just when I think you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this… And totally redeem yourself!” Happy 4th!

Dumb and Dumber! Your headboard is awesome! This is why I love the monthly roundup posts because I must have missed the post about this so I wouldn’t have seen it otherwise. I was thinking of doing something different in my daughters room and this has given me a great idea, thanks! Wow, I just used way too many exclamation points! :)

I got just three extra clear storage bins (on wheels) from IKEA and TOTALLY transformed our very large hall closet. Not only are purses and tote bags on hanging hooks, I can wheel out gardening/painting supplies without having to beg the hubby to lift everything for me. I am so proud and smile every time I open the door!

And, I painted a stool yesterday. A really lovely fern color. Double points: used latex paint this time around (unlike spray paint for kitchen table and chairs) and managed to NOT paint the stone or living items on our patio. Score.

I was just doing some bedroom rearranging last night thanks to you guys! Looking at the updated pictures, it looks pretty close to being finished. Besides re-doing the floor, possibly the dresser, and doing something with the botanical prints wall, what is left on your bedroom to-do list?

Great pic of the 3 of you!! Such a miracle to get the little ones to smile at the same time that everyone is actually looking at the camera. I’m sure Jeremy and Katie were doing some serious antics behind the camera to get that kind of reaction :) Happy 4th of July y’all!

Aw, happy fourth to you too Sammy! It helps that there are two of us doing this full time (although sometimes Clara tries to sabotage us- haha- so the key is working at night after 8 when she’s in bed, usually until around midnight or one!).

I love to see the recaps–you all are busy! It motivates me to work on projects I have going on here–including trying a new Pinned recipe today to share at the Pinterest Challenge next week. :) Happy 4th of July!

I’m totally digging those stools! We’ve been saving for some from Industrial West, which I loved, but they are like $165 each. Will be almost $800 for a set of four. I’m loving the idea of paying much less! And I’m glad to know how you painted them, because that’d be a fun pop of color in my kitchen. Thanks for the idea!

Promise I’m not prego! We’re not trying yet (just not ready) but I do eat chocolate- so that has caffeine right? I just don’t typically drink soda or coffee, and my tea of choice has always been herbal (just so I don’t stay up all night, haha).

I know I’m not the first one to it, but I love that movie, and that quote–Dumb and Dumber! good stuff. We organized for a housewarming party over the weekend, and have managed to keep things pretty put-together, other than the pile of (empty) plastic storage totes by the door to return to the friend that loaned them to us for the move.

When things like your battery acting-up happens and causes a delay – I take it as a sign that you are not supposed to be on the road at that time (and a lot of times I’ll then come upon an accident – and think yay! for delays).

Drive safe and watch out for turkeys :)
(The ONLY friend you have on the road is SPACE.)
Take care!

Oh man, replaced that battery and that wasn’t it- so the car sits in the shop until tomorrow when they’re back to work and we can hopefully get to the bottom of it. Oh well, guess we’ll be staying in today. Haha.

Ya couldn’t have thrown the sunglasses to the side? LOL! My best friend has her’s affixed to the top of head all the time too! I guess those of us from the 80’s that don’t like anything taking away from the volume, don’t understand. :0)

That is awesome that you finally got a family picture of Clara smiling! We’re still working on that, my daughter (almost 2), likes to do what we call her “mug shot” in all family photos where she just stares at the camera and frowns hahaha.
I can’t believe it’s July already either, this year is just flying by!!!

About 8 years ago, I was looking for apartments to rent, and one of the leasing guys asked what kind of dog I have since I inquired about the apartments being pet-friendly. I told him a Shih Tzu/Yorkie mix, and he goes “ha! a Yorksh*t!”. I didn’t find it amusing at the time, but looking back I realize I probably should’ve married the man.

You guys really do amaze me, first with how much you do, and second with how much you write about it all! It’s so much fun to follow your adventures.

On an unrelated note, I spent some time in hospital last night, and had to be stripped down to look for rashes (suspected meningitis) and all I could think of was “at least I’m not wearing Care Bear undies!” It totally cheered me up when I was feeling icky.

Hahaha- you’re a lucky girl to have been wearing normal undergarments! Hope you’re feeling better Chrissie! And you’re so sweet to share such kind words- you guys keep us going (and keep us laughing!).

The family photo is best! That should totally take you to a happy place on any rainy day, say when somebody grows up and wants pink hair, lol.J/K. (I had just a little red streak hehe.) This has inspired me to pick out a happy place pic, preferably beach or water area, and put it up in the bathroom. My husband leaves his damp exercise clothes everywhere and I def need something to wash over the annoyance!

This year is going by wayyy too fast and the kids are growing up way too quickly. I can’t remember last weekend let alone last month to remember my proudest accomplishment. I guess that is why I blog! LOL

I love the superlatives, I think they are some of my favorite posts. You’re right, it is always nice to take a break from thinking of all the things STILL on the to-do list and think about all of the things that were checked off of the list! This month I marked off our antique door into table/artwork project that has been sitting around since last January! Check it out on the blog if you are interested.

I love your videos! Although sometimes, the shakiness is a little “queasifying”.

Have you ever looked into something like a Merlin Steadicam? I saw a video of it being used in a hiking trip (not my video so no shameless plugging) and I was amazed with the smoothness considering the terrain.

Wow! You two have done so much in a month. I had big plans to redo our bathroom this summer, but I broke my wrist riding my bike. So I will have to enjoy your projects instead! Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading your blog each day.